Post-Standard basketball writer Mike Waters answers readers' questions about the Orange, the ACC, all of college basketball and just about anything else. To submit a question, email Mike at mwaters@syracuse.com and follow him on Twitter @MikeWatersSYR

The ol' Mailbox has been pretty full lately. Maybe it's the 17-0 start for the Syracuse Orange.

Syracuse is now 17-0 for just the fourth time in school history and the third time in the last four years. Think about that. If this isn't the Golden Age of Syracuse hoops, I don't know what is. Sure, the Derrick Coleman era was pretty spectacular from 1987 to 1990.

And the 2003 national title was singularly special. But for a team to go 17-0 out of the gate three times in four years? It's historic.

Speaking of history, today's first question deals with recent history.

So without further ado, let's get to those questions.

Q: Syracuse beat Miami last week with 0 bench points. When was the previous Syracuse victory without any help from the bench?Freshsqueezed from Syracuse.com

Syracuse's Jerami Grant started against Miami as starting center Dajuan Coleman missed the game due to injury. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Mike: Syracuse got all of its points in the 49-44 win over Miami on Jan. 4 from its starters. Michael Gbinije and Baye Moussa Keita were the only reserves who saw action in the game and neither one scored.

I had to go back a few years to find an answer to the question, but in doing so, it almost happened again before I could put the answer in this column. Syracuse's bench scored just three points in the Orange's 59-45 win over North Carolina last Saturday.

Again, Gbinije and Keita were the only reserves who played against the Tar Heels. Gbinije scored three points, while Keita didn't score any.

It almost happened several times last season. Twice, the SU bench totaled just one point.
In SU's win over Marquette in the NCAA Tournament, Jerami Grant scored one point off the bench, while Keita and Trevor Cooney both played but neither scored.

In a 61-39 loss to Georgetown in the regular season, Southerland scored the only bench point of the game. Cooney, Keita and Dajuan Coleman all played, but didn't score.

The last time Syracuse's bench failed to score a point came on Feb. 6, 2008 in a 63-61 loss to Connecticut. Rick Jackson played 13 minutes off the bench, but he didn't score. Scoop Jardine was scoreless in just one minute of action. That was it.

Donte Greene and Jonny Flynn both played 40 minutes. Paul Harris played 39 minutes. Kristof Ongenaet played 37 and Arinze Onuaku played 30.

Great question!

Q: During a free throw attempt, are players from the other team allowed to distract the free throw shooter (by talking smack, waving their arms, etc.)?

Players generally appear to have good etiquette during free throws, and I'm wondering if this is good sportsmanship or the result of an official rule. If there is indeed a rule, have you ever seen it enforced?Brian

Mike: The good etiquette that you've observed from players during a free throw is mandated by the rules of the game.

According to NCAA rules, "After the ball is placed at the disposal of a free-thrower: No opponent shall disconcert (e.g., taunt, bait, gesture or delay) the free-thrower.''

Generally, this means the players lined up along the free throw lane can't wave their arms or talk during the free throw attempt.

I can't remember a specific instance where I've seen it enforced. But if a violation does occur, the shooter is awarded another free throw. It's the same as a lane violation.

Q: Hi Mike. With the addition of the new American Conference, is there one less at-large bid come tournament time? Does the American Conference and Big East both get an automatic bid?Christopher K.

Mike: The new version of the Big East and the American Athletic Conference both will have automatic bids to this year's NCAA Tournament.

The Big East retained the league's bid, while the American was awarded an at-large bid.
That brings the total of automatic bids up to 32.